Scholarships & Financial Aid

Undergraduate Scholarships & Financial Aid

Anyone can be a global explorer. AUP’s global liberal arts education prepares you to live and work internationally – no matter where your journey began. We award over €6 million every year to students of all nationalities, with the aim of promoting economic diversity among our culturally diverse student body. 

Around 50% of students receive some form of financial aid – in some cases as high as 75% of tuition. Below, you’ll find more information on financial aid options at AUP. Unless otherwise stated, awards take the form of tuition abatement. 

 

 

Merit Awards and Scholarships at AUP for Undergraduate Students

The awards below are based on your profile and background, not on financial need. AUP will automatically consider you for these at the point of admission to the university. All of these awards are limited to incoming, degree-seeking students. Visiting students and First Year Abroad students are not eligible. Students initially admitted as degree-seeking students and were awarded merit aid, cannot keep the award if they change to an ineligible program. Current students at AUP who were not initially awarded at the time of admission are not eligible.     

 

More information is included in the drop-down menu for each award just below. 

Cross-Cultural Award (€5,000 a year)

AUP is American. AUP is French. AUP is proudly international. We believe that identities are complex and multifaceted and that cultural perspectives are best when shared. If you see yourself as living an international lifestyle, if you feel connected to more than one country, or if you think of yourself as a third-culture kid, you’ll fit right in to the AUP community. The Cross-Cultural Award is given to students who know how to communicate the benefit of their international experiences to their peers and colleagues. We look for students who feel at home in the world and are comfortable in unfamiliar environments. If you believe that living and learning across national borders has positively impacted your life, and if you want to help others find similar experiences, then you’re the perfect candidate. 

  • €5,000 a year 
  • Awarded at the time of application 
  • No separate application required – award evaluation is based on your AUP application 
Global Explorer Award (€7,000 a year)

There are many definitions of a global explorer, but all definitions have one thing in common – the willingness and drive to go out of one’s comfort zone and engage with the world in new ways. You don’t have to have led an international life to feel drawn to an international setting. AUP students come from all over the world, from over a hundred countries across six continents. They grow up in large cities, small towns and rural villages. What brings them together is a need to explore. The Global Explorer Award is given to students who encapsulate this intrepidness. If you’re looking for an international education to broaden your horizons and dive into new experiences, then this award is made for you. 

  • €7,000 a year 
  • Awarded at the time of application 
  • No separate application required – award evaluation is based on your AUP application 
GPS Co-Curricular Scholarship (€5,000 a year)

At AUP, you build your own pathway. A liberal arts education extends beyond the classroom and into all aspects of life. AUP’s Global Professional Skills (GPS) Program is a co-curricular initiative that provides the tools you need for continuous growth and improvement toward your personal and professional goals. It encourages participants to think of their curricular and co-curricular endeavors as intertwined and to learn from each new experience. If you are someone involved in student clubs, volunteer activities or community organizing, then you already know how enriching co-curricular activities can be as a complement to academic studies. The GPS Co-Curricular Scholarship is awarded to curious students who seek, through the GPS Program, to seize new opportunities and reflect on how these activities shape their present and future. 

  • €5,000 a year 
  • Awarded at the time of application 
  • No separate application required – award evaluation is based on your AUP application 
  • Participation in the GPS Program is required to maintain the award
French Community Scholarship (€10,000 a year)

For those students educated within the French high-school system, the American liberal arts model of higher education offers greater flexibility and more opportunities for exploration than traditional French universities. AUP is uniquely placed to provide an American education on French soil. If you have completed the French Baccalaureate or have followed the French curriculum in France or abroad, then you are eligible to be considered for this additional scholarship. 

  • €10,000 a year 
  • Awarded at the time of application 
  • No separate application required – award evaluation is based on your AUP application 
  • Applicants must have completed the French Baccalaureate or have followed the French curriculum in France or abroad in order to be eligible. Completing the French Baccalaureate does not automatically qualify an applicant for this award.
  • French citizenship is not required 
Experiential Learner Award (€3,000 a year)

AUP rewards academic success. We also know that such success can come in many forms. High academic performance isn’t just about grades; it’s about taking your learning beyond the classroom and applying your knowledge to your daily experiences. An AUP education doesn’t differentiate between learning and life; it pushes you to be the architect of your own future, as you pursue meaningful careers and developmental pathways built on your academic experiences. If you enjoy learning in all aspects of your life, and if your academic interests fuel your extracurricular passions, then you may well be considered for an Experiential Learner Award. 

  • €3,000 a year 
  • Awarded at the time of application 
  • No separate application required – award evaluation is based on your AUP application 
Cultural Program Award (€1,000 a year)

Purposeful travel is central to an AUP education. Your classes carry learning outside of the classroom, encouraging you to apply your knowledge to real-life situations out in the field. AUP’s Cultural Program has, since 1962, given students the opportunity to sharpen their intellectual curiosity through faculty-led study trips across France, Europe and the world. The Cultural Program Award is designed for students who demonstrate a strong desire for academic, cultural and personal exploration, but who need help financing study trips. 

  • €1,000 a year (does not roll over) to be spent on Cultural Program study trips 
  • Awarded at the time of application 
  • No separate application required – award evaluation is based on your AUP application 
  • This award is ineligible to fund cultural program excursions in the fall and spring semesters
Alumni Scholarship (10% of tuition each year)

The AUP alumni community is over 20,000 strong. Once you graduate, you’ll form part of a close-knit community that stays connected for life. It’s no surprise that some of the global explorers attending the University today are not the first in their families to join us in Paris. The Alumni Scholarship is awarded to admitted degree-seeking students whose parent or grandparent graduated from The American University of Paris with either a bachelor’s or master’s diploma.  

  • 10% of tuition each year 
  • Awarded at the time of application 
  • Information about parent’s or grandparent’s link to AUP must be provided as part of the application 
  • Alumni relative must have graduated with either a bachelor’s or master’s diploma from AUP 
Veterans Scholarship (€5,000 a year) and the Yellow Ribbon Scholarship

AUP is committed to supporting veterans of the United States Armed Forces and their families. Veterans or current military dependents who qualify for the Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) or the VA Survivors and Dependents Education Assistance Program (Chapter 35) and who can produce a VA Certificate of Eligibility will receive an annual Veterans Scholarship. 

  • €5,000 (€2,500 each for Fall and Spring semesters) 
  • You must submit your VA Certificate of Eligibility no later than the first day of classes 
  • May not be combined with any other Financial Aid Awards

Students who qualify for the Post 9/11 GI Bill at the 100% benefit level may be eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program at AUP which would cover more than the Veterans Scholarship.

Need-based Tuition Awards at AUP

AUP processes need-based Tuition Awards drawing on the information included in the student’s admissions application and combining it with an evaluation of a family’s financial need. You must request and complete a financial aid application to be considered for this award.  The average total Financial Aid package at AUP is about 33% of tuition and the majority do not go over 50% of tuition.  There are limited exceptions including our 75% AUP Scholar Awards.

 

AUP Scholar Award

AUP awards a limited number of AUP Scholar Awards to students with exceptionally strong academics, proven financial need, and a clear demonstration that they would flourish within the AUP community.   The award is combined with other forms of financial aid representing a total package of 75% of tuition.  AUP Scholars will be asked to contribute in various ways to the development of our vibrant, international student body.  Activities that may be required include volunteering as an AUP Student Ambassador, participating in special AUP events, communicating with prospective students and alumni, student blogging, and social media campaigns. 

  • 75% tuition abatement 
  • Awarded at the time of application (first-year students only) 
  • The separate AUP Financial Aid Application is required for consideration of this award

 

How to apply for a tuition award

We ask you to fill out an online application and submit a number of supporting documents. New students can apply for a tuition award after having submitted their application for admissions. The application for a tuition award and any supporting documents will in no way affect the admissions decision. To apply, just follow these steps:

  • Select “yes” when asked, in your admissions application, if you are interested in receiving scholarships and financial aid, or if you intend on applying for a tuition award.
  • You’ll receive an email with a link to your Application Status Page as soon as your application for admissions has been submitted.
  • Click on the Financial Aid button on your Application Status Page.
  • Complete your online financial award application and submit the required supporting documents.
  • American citizens and U.S. permanent residents must also file the FAFSA.
  • Once the application is complete with all documents, and you’ve been accepted to AUP, we’ll review the application and send you the decision via email.

Contact the Admissions Team if you have any questions about the procedure or your award. 

 

Once you have been awarded a tuition award

To accept a tuition award, you must confirm your attendance and complete all the steps in the online confirmation process, as detailed in your acceptance email. Please pay attention to any dates on the tuition award letter as the offer may only be valid for a limited time and may be different from other admission deadlines. The official award is final, but in certain cases you may request a re-evaluation of your file (contact your Admissions Counselor to learn how to submit an appeal).

The amount in your award letter is for a full-time course schedule. Should your credit load decrease or increase in future semesters, you’ll maintain the same percentage of the financial award. In other words, your award amount will be pro-rated.

If you’re an American student or U.S. permanent resident, please read the loan eligibility information outlined in your award letter carefully. Let your admissions counselor know right away if you plan on applying for loans.

 

Financial awards for current undergraduate students

All undergraduate students receiving a merit award or scholarship or a need-based tuition award must maintain the required minimum cumulative GPA for their award.

Current undergraduate students who have never received a tuition award can submit a tuition award application and the required supporting documents to be considered for a tuition award for the following semester. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required to be considered.  Completing the application well before the beginning of the semester is encouraged.  New applications will not be considered if a complete application is not on file before the first day of the semester. Contact admissionsataup.edu  to receive a copy of the online application form and a list of supporting documents required.

Current undergraduate students receiving only a merit award or scholarship, including former Global Citizenship Scholarship awardees must also maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

 

Loans for U.S. citizens and permanent residents

Students and permanent residents from the United States can obtain U.S. federal and private loans to help finance part or all of their studies. The available loans are:

Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans

Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan

Sallie Mae Smart Option Loan

Earnest Student Loans

What loans you can apply for

We are Title IV-approved (code G07881) by the United States Department of Education to participate in the federal Direct Loan Program and administer loans to American citizens and permanent residents. This loan program gives our students access to Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct Loans, Parent PLUS and Graduate PLUS loans. Our American students can also apply for the private Sallie Mae Smart Option Loan. Due to federal regulations, students applying through guaranteed transfer agreements will only be eligible for private loans, and not for federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct Loans and PLUS loans.

Most undergraduate students take out Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct Loans first and then use the Parent PLUS loan or the Smart Option loan for the balance. Eligibility and more detail are provided in the official financial award letter.

Please note that AUP students are not eligible for the Pell grant, or any other federal grants, as these grants are not applicable to universities that are located outside of the U.S., in accordance with federal regulations.

How to apply for loans

With the exception of the private Smart Option loan, which you can apply for directly online through Sallie Mae, all students applying for US federal loans must begin by filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) for each academic year.

Once you complete the FAFSA, a copy of the Student Aid Report (SAR) is sent to us electronically if you request it. AUP's Title IV code is G07881. It’s the student's responsibility to fill out the FAFSA properly and resolve any outstanding issues.

Filling out the FAFSA does not mean that you have applied for any loans. Completing the FAFSA is only the first of several steps required to apply for loans. You still need to apply for federal loans online. You will also need to complete the AUP Loan Plan on your AUP Status page.

Entrance and Exit Counseling

All students using US Federal Loans must complete Entrance Counseling. Entrance counseling ensures you understand the terms and conditions of your loan and your rights and responsibilities. You'll learn what a loan is, how interest works, your options for repayment, and how to avoid delinquency and default. 

All students using US Federal Loans must also complete Exit Counseling when they leave school or drop below half-time enrollment. The purpose of exit counseling is to ensure you understand your student loan obligations and are prepared for repayment. You'll learn about what your federal student loan payments will look like after school. Federal Student Aid will recommend a repayment strategy that best suits your future plans and goals. 

How to receive your loan money

Once you’ve completed your FAFSA and the required steps to apply for loans, the Financial Aid Office initiates the request for your loan funds. This process takes about a week. Then, Student Accounting Services will credit your student account at The American University of Paris with the corresponding loan amount in Euros.

If any excess loan funds are on your student account after tuition and fees have been covered, student accounting services will prepare a check in Euros that you can deposit into your local bank account in Paris and use for your living expenses. Most students receive living expense money from their loans at the beginning of the semester. Nevertheless, federal regulations prevent The American University of Paris from disbursing loan funds, and therefore turning over any living expense money, any time prior to 10 days before the beginning of the loan period, usually the first day of the semester.

Please address all questions about your student account, gaining access to the refund check, and local banking issues to Student Accounting Services.

Loan amounts and eligibility

U.S. Department of Education regulations determine total loan eligibility, i.e. the maximum amount you can borrow in any given loan period, based on the following formula: tuition + fees + reasonable living expenses – financial awards received. Your FAFSA results will determine how this final amount is divided among your different loan types, but your overall loan eligibility is provided in the official financial award letter.

You cannot borrow more than your loan eligibility unless a detailed budget is presented and approved by the AUP Financial Aid Office. Federal statute indicates explicitly what can and cannot be included in a budget. For example, items such as past credit card debt, most start-up costs before arriving on campus, rent that is noticeably higher than that of most other students, security deposits and any expenses outside of a loan period cannot be included in the budget.

Dollar exchange rate

Once a loan has been certified and the funds are ready to be requested from the Department of Education. Student Accounting Services will credit your account with the net amounts of the loan. The net US dollar amount is converted to Euros using the official daily exchange rate for the day The American University of Paris received the funds.

Internships and study abroad and federal loans

Students who borrow federal loans are limited in the amount of study they can complete in the United States. This is because AUP is a "foreign university" (meaning our campus is located outside of the United States) as defined by the US Department of Education. Once at AUP, degree-seeking students who receive federal loans cannot elect to study inside the United States if it means more than 25% of their program (degree) is made up of courses completed in the United States. This takes into account previous transfer credits to AUP as well. Each request to study abroad, whether it is an entire semester or a one-course internship/thesis must be measured against the 25%  threshold. Please contact the Financial Aid Office for more information.

Credit problems with the Parent PLUS or Private Loans

If you apply for one of these loans and your credit check fails, you will either need to correct the problem with your credit report or apply with an endorser. We encourage you to ensure that any problems get resolved well before payment deadlines.

Loan certification refusal

Although the Financial Aid Office strives to ensure that our students understand the complexities of the student loan process, we’ll never refuse to certify a loan for an eligible student. However, the Financial Aid Office will not process federal loans for a) students taking summer session courses before they begin their full-time studies in the fall semester; b) students who are not registered full-time during their first semester.

Contact for loan questions

Both the Financial Aid Office and Student Accounting Services process loans for students, but each office has a specific role and is better able to answer questions in certain areas.

Contact the Financial Aid Office with questions about:

  • how to apply for loans
  • your loan eligibility
  • FAFSA
  • emails from the U.S. Department of Education or past loan servicers
  • adjusting the amount of your loan
  • repayment, interest rates, or loan terms
  • how a certain academic choice or path will affect loan eligibility

Contact Student Accounting Services with questions about:

  • your student ledger
  • charges on your student ledger
  • refund checks or refund check calculations
  • invoices or billing statements
  • payments

 

General financial aid questions

This is a list of some of the most frequently asked financial aid questions. Please do not hesitate to contact the Financial Aid Office if your question is not answered.

Can I receive a financial award every year?

Almost all awards granted by AUP are easily renewed every year by meeting certain minimum requirements.  Merit awards and scholarships are maintained each semester by keeping a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA. Tuition Awards for undergraduate students are maintained with a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA . Americans who receive federal loans must re-apply for the loans each academic year, which means completing, at minimum, a new FAFSA and a new Master Promissory Note(s) (MPN) for each loan.

What happens if I lose my Tuition Award or merit award scholarship?

You may appeal, in writing, to the Financial Aid Office to reinstate a financial award or scholarship once you meet the qualifications for the award again. For example, a student losing a merit award or scholarship due to a 2.8 cumulative GPA at the end of the fall semester must achieve a 3.0 cumulative GPA by the end of the spring semester before an appeal for reinstatement can be made. Awards are reinstated the semester following the appeal. An appeal cannot be made retroactively.

How do I receive my awards?

All types of financial awards will be applied directly to your AUP student account. Your award is tied to registration and course load, and will be adjusted if you register for according to any course overload or part-time.  There are two exceptions:  enrollment.  a) audited courses are not eligible    b) students taking a course overload who have merit awards and scholarships will receive the full semester amount, not a pro-rated amount for additional overload charges.

If you are an American student receiving loans, we will submit loan amounts for you to the Office of Student Accounting Services, which will credit your student account. If a positive balance remains following the deduction of tuition and fees from your loan amount, a refund check in euros will be issued to you by student accounting services.

Can I use private scholarships?

Students are eligible to use private scholarships to pay for tuition.

Is it possible to work off-campus?

With a student visa, you have the right to work part-time in France during your studies.

Can I study abroad or do an internship in the United States?

Department of Education regulations recently changed and degree seeking students at foreign universities like AUP can now study in the United States as long as the duration of the study abroad or the internship does not exceed 25% of the total program.

What happens if I register for less than full time (full time registration is 12 to 18 credits)?

Your total Financial Aid package (merit awards or scholarships and/or Tuition Award) will be pro-rated based on your new registration. You will keep the same percentage of Financial Aid.

What happens if I register for an overload (above 18 credits) and my tuition is increased?

Your total Financial Aid package (merit awards or scholarships and/or Tuition Award) will be pro-rated based on your new registration. You will keep the same percentage of Financial Aid.

What happens if tuition changes in a future academic year?

The Financial Aid Office will ensure your overall Financial Aid package is pro-rated and that you keep the same percentage of Financial Aid. This does not apply to merit-only awards.

General Loan Questions

This is a list of some of the most frequently asked loan questions. Please do not hesitate to contact the Financial Aid office if your question is not answered.

 

Can I get my January rent money before I leave in December? Can I get my September rent money in mid-August?

No. This is, unfortunately, a very common question, but federal regulations state explicitly that we cannot disburse living expense money any time prior to 10 days before the first day of class. If your loans are guaranteed and set up completely, we’re happy to intervene and speak with your landlord or provide documentation advocating for a payment extension until you receive your funds.

Can I get living expenses for the summer if I plan to stay in Paris?

Yes, but only if you’re going to be registered for at least 6 credits during the summer session. If you’re not registered in the summer, you can’t include any summer expenses on the budgets of the preceding spring or following fall semesters.

Other Scholarships, Awards and Grants

There are additional scholarships, awards and grants besides financial aid that you can apply for directly, which may enhance your learning opportunities and experiences.